Tales From The Town #63: Unpacking, or The Tools Of The Trade

Christopher laid out the contents of his suitcase carefully on the bed, checking each item off a list to make sure nothing had been mislaid in transit. You never could tell the trouble lost items might bring.

1. Phone #1 (public use)
2. Phone #2 (private use)
3. Laptop #1 (unlocked, innocent)
4. Laptop #2 (locked, encrypted, incriminating)
5. Printer
6. Laminator
7. Wireless Listening Devices #1-#7
8. Passive Listening Devices #1-#4
9. Notebook (in code)
10. Pens (various colours)
11. Camera #1 (conspicuous, innocent)
12. Camera #2 (inconspicuous, deniable)
13. Camera #3 (concealable, beyond legal and moral bounds)
14. Credit/Debit Cards #1-#6 (various names)
15. Voice Modulator (still in box)
16. Cables (knotted bundle)

__________

Notes:

1. Written on (date lost)
2. But probably in the first half of 2022
3. Or maybe late 2021

Tales From The Town #62: Weather Report

There was rain enough for weeks in little more than an hour. Lightning struck the grass until half the lawn was made of glass. The wind blew the salt off the sea straight into your eyes, then blew the tears in your eyes straight back out over the ocean.

None of this, of course, had anything to do with the arrival of the lodger. None of this had anything to do with anything except itself. But still it was talked about for quite some time after as if perhaps it did.

__________

Notes:

1. Written on May 11th, 2022

Tales From The Town: Pocket Editions (#13-15)

Some more Pocket Tales, to go with this year’s Pocket Tales (#10-#12), and last year’s Pocket Tales (#1-#4 / #5-#9).

Pocket Tales #13

Dust

It filled the air we breathed and the lungs we breathed it with.

Smoke

It filled the air we breathed and the lungs we breathed it with.

Mist

It filled the air we breathed and the lungs we breathed it with.

The Fog Of Existence

It was everywhere
in everything there ever was

Pocket Tales #14

Chasm

They stepped over it as if it wasn’t there.

Bridge

Only the bravest dared to cross.

Cliff

You could feel gravity here as if it was a real thing pulling you down in its grip.

A Dream Of The Moon Never Disappoints

There is enough there for everyone to see and do.

Pocket Tales #15 (Poetry Edition)

A Poem For The Cat

Why is she
so perfect
so perfectly unconcerned
with me?

A Poem For The Fish

Little fish
Big Fish
Swimming in a circle
in the corner of the room

Big Fish
Little Fish
Bioluminescent
Glowing in the gloom

A Poem For The Spider

All her spidery children
spread across the ceiling
Does she even remember them
or know what they’re feeling
Now they’ve left her web
for somewhere more appealing

A Poem For Mum

She doesn’t get angry
because she’s too sad
If only we were good
Instead of so bad

A Poem For Dad

He dreams of the sky
He dreams of the sea
He dreams of the mermaid
He dreams he was free
I think he’s forgotten
Who he used to be.

A Poem For The House

I can feel it
dreaming
Is it dreaming
through me

I can feel it
growing
Almost like a tree

Ae we the birds
in its branches?
Or its fruits
and its seeds?

A Poem For Me

Its okay
to not be seen

Its okay
to not be seen

__________

Notes:

1. Made between June 9th and June 12th, 2022

Tales From The Town: Pocket Editions (#10-#12)

Some more Pocket Tales, to go with last year’s Pocket Tales (#1-#4 / #5-#9).

Pocket Tales #10

The Kite

It is forbidden to speak of the kite anymore. It is mourned in silence.

David

He could not get back up no matter how hard he tried. He pretended instead that he was where he wanted to be.

Pocket Tales #11

(Even the crabs were sunburned)

Gravestone

The gravestone records the beginning and the end. What occurred in the moments between is of no lasting interest to history.

Tradition

They rolled plates down the hill. There was nothing else to do.

Treasure Trove

No one knew it was there, or what it was. The grass had grown long around it. One day perhaps it would be found.

Pocket Tales #12

CDs

They hang from the trees and keep the fairies at bay.

Tapes

The only known thing of infinite length is an unspooled taped unwinding in the breeze.

LPs

They had been listened to so often the sound had worn away. But in our minds we remembered.
__________

Notes:

1. Made between June 9th and June 12th, 2022
2. Although the words for Gravestone and Tradition come from earlier in the year.
3. Maybe even last year.
4. Also I don’t know why I forgot to do the middle pages in Pocket Tales #12
5. But I did
6. So that one’s shorter
7. Sorry